The stay in Bath continues, with Catherine increasingly tricked and cajoled to spend time with John Thorpe. We meet more of the Tilneys, and receive good news(?) at the end of Volume 1. The comments section is for what you think of the book through the end of Volume 1. Add anything interesting you’ve found […]
Author: Dwight
(click for larger image–the text is priceless) Check out this wonderful 1965 bookcover to “A paper library gothic.” I wonder if that is the forerunner to “romance novels.” Actually wondered the same thing while reading Northanger Abbey. Anyway, you think they missed the entire point of the novel? I have to believe that anyone that […]
The season in Bath continues and there are many gothic novel references in this section. We are introduced to John Thorpe and Catherine’s brother, James as well. As usual, post your thoughts about the book through Chapter 10 in the comments section!
In Chapter 6 (Volume 1), Catherine gushes about The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Ward Radcliffe. The text of the book can be found online here. I did a quick search for references that Catherine made to the black veil, and I believe this section is it: Passing the light hastily over several other pictures, […]
The Wikipedia entry on Bath, England is useful to see the setting of over half the book. From the Celts who founded it to the Romans who turned the springs into a spa, Bath became a social center in the 18th century. By the time the book was written, the social aspect of Bath was […]
I’ve been traveling and unable to post, so I’ll start the discussion of Northanger Abbey now. I realize the pace of the schedule is slow, but I wanted people starting late with the book to have the ability to easily catch up. Chapters 1 through 5 introduces us to our heroine, Catherine Moreland, and we […]
I thought having a post with links related to Northanger Abbey would be helpful to some people. If you find something that relates to the book or Austen that you think is helpful, relay that information in the comments and I’ll be happy to add to this post. Online texts: – Project Gutenberg – University […]
“The Invisible Library is a collection of books that only appear in other books. Within the library’s catalog you will find imaginary books, pseudobiblia, artifictions, fabled tomes, libris phantastica, and all manner of books unwritten, unread, unpublished, and unfound.” I’ve only looked through a few titles, but my favorite so far: De pelendis mascarendisque cardinalium […]
I thought one thread that listed all the discussion topics for the book would be helpful, as well as providing a central place for people to comment on the book as we move on to something else. Feel free to comment as you can! Chapters 1 – 10 Chapters 11 – 20 Chapters 21 – […]
A thread for discussing the movie Vanity Fair. Feel free to comment on the movie if you haven’t read the book. Compare, contrast, deconstruct, or just say thumbs up or down. If you’ve read the book, how did you like the changes/additions/omissions? You can also visit the Vanity Fair movie website (link dead?) which has […]
We reach the end of the book, and the end of many characters. While many resolutions are happy, not everything may be satisfying. Post your thoughts on these chapters in the comments. I’ll have a general Vanity Fair post soon that provides links to the previous posts, which I hope will be the place for […]
Our next book has been chosen and it is Jane Austen’s first book: Northanger Abbey. Written in 1798 but not published until 1818 (after her death), it is a satire on over-the-top Gothic novels that were popular at the time. Like Don Quixote, it has lived longer than the literature it satirized. Another common Austen […]
Much happens in these chapters. From Lord Steyne, Rawdon and Becky’s unplanned meeting to Jos and Dobbin returning home, much is resolved here. Leave a comment on what you think about Thackeray’s settlement on many of these issues. We’re approaching the end here, for better or worse. I’ll set up a thread at the end […]
I’m changing the schedule one more time (see sidebar for update), adding another week. Things have been hectic for me with the new baby, plus this chapter makes a good place to end one discussion and start the next. So in this stretch we see diverse locations (from India to the court of George IV) […]
I must have goofed in only having 4 chapters listed for this week. But I’ll go with the schedule as listed—not like anyone will care. Post-Waterloo, we follow the fortunes (or lack thereof) of the many families. Add your comments on what you like or dislike about the book so far.
Have you thought of other books while reading Vanity Fair? It is very rich in allusions and references, but the period of time and subjects it covers reminds me of several other works. Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma: While I was a little underwhelmed with the overall book, the Waterloo scene was fairly funny as […]
Where we follow the non-heroes and the rest of England to the Continent to face Napoleon and see the aftereffects of Waterloo. Post your thoughts, favorite parts, characters you hate, etc. in the comments!
So as you’re reading through the book, do you find your attitude toward Becky changing? Do you like her more, less, or the same? Just curious as to your reactions toward her…
In which we follow our (non-)heroes through family changes and the prelude to Waterloo. Post your thoughts in the comments!
Please note the change in the Vanity Fair discussion timetable in the right sidebar. Claire and I decided to push things one week so those that were interested can catch up. I will still post on Chapters 20-29 later today (assuming work’s internet connection issues are resolved), but we’ll wait two weeks before covering all […]